Published at 26th of January 2026 10:05 pm

Chapter 363

This chapter is updated by JustRead.pl

It had been about a month since Divine Spear awakened.

A point in time that felt both like ages had passed, and yet barely any at all.

Henan, which had been devastated by the attack, was gradually restored, now regaining its old appearance. Even the tense, edgy atmosphere began to subside.

It was only now truly winter.

The time when snow slowly started to fall and pile up.

Clang—!!

A sharp noise rang out as the blade of the sword bounced upward.

"Urgh—!"

With a groan, my knees wobbled. I staggered backward, almost collapsing.

I tried putting some distance between us, but the moment I realized it, a sword was already pressed against my neck.

"......"

I raised my hands at the chilling sensation.

My opponent softly withdrew his sword.

A dried-up old man. He had a small frame, missing one arm, looking as frail as could be.

'... I really can't see through him.'

But you could never judge him by appearances. This old man was someone who, through martial arts, had touched the heavens.

The current greatest sword in the Central Plains.

He was known as the Sword Emperor, the one reputed to wield the sword better than anyone else in the Central Plains' martial world.

Carefully sheathing his sword, he spoke to me.

"Not bad."

"... Thank you."

Upon hearing his praise, I gasped for breath. Only now did the breath I'd been holding come pouring out.

"Hoo...."

I steadied my breathing. Facing me, the Sword Emperor said,

"We'll stop here for today."

"... Thank you for your instruction."

Without another word, the Sword Emperor turned and immediately disappeared. Only then did I collapse to the ground, exhausted.

"Ugh..."

Sweat trickled down my face. Fatigue was written all over me.

"This is tough."

It was never easy. Training with the Sword Emperor was always arduous.

My whole body trembled, and the next day, lingering muscle aches would hammer my limbs.

'Still, I think it's effective.'

Despite the pain, the effectiveness was certain. I could feel my body, which had reached the transcendent realm, gradually growing accustomed to that level.

Shwick. Clack.

Spinning my sword, I slid it back into its scabbard.

"Phew."

Letting out a sigh different from before, I straightened myself.

『Your flow of ki is looking decent.』

Yu Chun-gil spoke as he looked at me.

『What used to be messy and scattered is finally looking clean.』

"... Was it that bad before?"

『You're asking because you don't know?』

"I can't see it myself."

『It was a complete mess. Your realm advanced so quickly, your body couldn't keep up—it was chaotic and unstable.』

"..."

A body that had reached the transcendent realm.

As a martial artist, I was an outstanding master—someone whose name would be recognized wherever I went.

But I didn't really have a chance to feel such things for myself.

'I still can't really sense it.'

That I was at the transcendent realm... It hadn't been long since I wondered whether reaching 1st-rate was even possible for me.

Time had shot past like an arrow, and before I knew it, I had entered the transcendent realm.

'Of course, it wasn't just on my own.'

It wasn't talent, nor was it something I could've reached by myself.

Fortuitous encounter.

Meeting Yu Chun-gil had brought me that fortuitous encounter, but also—

'It's from absorbing evil ki.'

It was the accumulated result of dealing with evil spirits and the evil ki in each situation.

Squeeze.

I tightened my fist for a moment, feeling the flow of ki, then relaxed again.

"Right then."

Time to get up. The lesson with the Sword Emperor was finished—time to move on to the next thing.

* * *

Thud—!!

Whish—!!!

Babababak—!!!

Throwing knives embedded themselves in the wall in droves. Both their angles and force weren't bad, but my expression was less than pleased.

"That's enough."

At my words, the one throwing knives, Tang Chun-il, froze.

"Your ki is unstable again. What are you doing?"

"... I'm sorry."

Chastised, Tang Chun-il mumbled.

"I told you, focus on the flow of your ki."

"I did focus though..."

"If you'd focused, the result wouldn't be this. Look."

I picked up one of the knives and tossed it. The flying blade was enveloped in a blue ki and—

Crash—!!!

The impact was on a whole other level compared to Tang Chun-il's throw.

"You have to make it like this. Why can't you do it? It's not just about imbuing ki—didn't I tell you that it's pointless unless you're truly directing the ki each time?"

"..."

Tang Chun-il's face twisted as he looked at the knife. He clearly didn't understand.

"... Don't get it?"

"It's difficult."

"You did fine before, so why is it suddenly like this?"

He had performed well in the fight with Black Greatsword, but lately, it felt like he was stagnating.

"So then, what are you trying to do?"

"..."

Tang Chun-il fell silent, looking just as frustrated as I felt.

"... Tsk..."

With a flick, I threw the remaining knife roughly—it barely stuck in the target this time.

"We'll stop here today. Pushing further won't help."

"... Yes, understood."

Tang Chun-il nodded. After he left the room, I clicked my tongue inwardly as I watched him go.

It wasn't that I was angry at him. He was probably the most frustrated one of all.

What bothered me was—

'Am I not explaining it well?'

It was frustration with myself.

Anyone watching might think I was being stingy about passing on the Sky Filling Flower Rain.

But honestly, I was trying my best to teach.

If Tang Chun-il wasn't improving despite this, maybe the problem was with me.

『That's correct.』

Yu Chun-gil agreed with my thought.

『You have absolutely no talent for teaching.』

"..."

That hit right on the mark.

『The biggest problem is you try to teach exactly how you understand it.』

"... And what's wrong with that?"

『Isn't it obvious? Teaching is about explaining in a way the other person can understand, not your own way.』

More concisely, teaching in a way so the student can grasp the realization I had.

"So how do I do that?"

Was there even a way? I asked out of curiosity,

『I don't know either.』

"What?"

Yu Chun-gil only gave me this ridiculous answer.

『If I knew that, I'd have trained a hundred disciples already. Since I can't, I'm using you, aren't I?』

"..."

Yu Chun-gil admitted he didn't have any special talent for teaching either.

I suppose that was true. Was that why, aside from the Blue Moon Sect disciples, he never took on personal students?

'Well, for me—'

I could use possession to communicate my knowledge directly; if not for that, there would've been no solution.

'At this rate, I might not be able to fully teach Tang Chun-il the Sky Filling Flower Rain.'

That would be problematic. There was a specific reason Tang Chun-il was sticking with me, and I couldn't keep him by my side forever.

"What am I going to do..."

Elder Yu Chun-gil was teaching the Small Moon Division leader as per his method, but I had to personally pass down the Sky Filling Flower Rain.

'... How do I even teach him this?'

I knew I needed to change my method, but no solution came to mind.

Moreover—

'This isn't even the right time to be worrying about such things.'

Circumstances were pressing.

At that moment—

『Kid... bzzzt.』

Yu Chun-gil's voice wavered. At the same time—

"Young master."

Someone appeared and called out to me.

"...!"

I widened my eyes at the visitor. She looked like a demure woman, but—

'... Ghost Demon.'

Inside her was a chilling presence—you couldn't even guess how ancient—that defied her appearance.

A cross-dressing Ghost Demon. He had come seeking me.

"... What is it?"

"Oh, it's nothing much."

Even the way he spoke had become more feminine. I'd witnessed this for months now, yet still wasn't used to it.

Maybe it was because I knew the truth—it only made it seem creepier.

"The Strategist is asking for you."

"... Ah, understood. I should go now."

Heavenly Insight was summoning me.

With those words, I set off at once.

* * *

"You called for me."

"You're here."

As soon as I entered the quarters, Heavenly Insight welcomed me.

"Have a seat."

"Yes."

I sat naturally in front of him. The room was a chaotic mess of letters and documents—just as always, but I was used to it by now.

I casually swept things aside and sat. Without delay, Heavenly Insight spoke.

"Do you see the letters stacked in front?"

"Yes."

"Read them."

"..."

No more words were needed. I quietly pulled the letters closer and began reading.

"..."

"..."

Rustle.

Rustle.

Only the sound of turning paper filled the silence, about the length of two hours passing this way.

"I've read them all."

I finished reading the letters and placed them in a neat pile. Only then did Heavenly Insight, who had been reading his own letters, look up at me.

"What do you think?"

What did I think...?

It was a vague question, but my answer came out quickly.

"I don't think the issue at this 'Chu Young Gate' is very significant. Also, there are some oddities in the complaints raised from their side. It's true that the conflict with the Evil Faction is the main point, but... there are some strange parts."

"What's strange?"

"The 'Gui Do Sect' of the Evil Faction, which was involved in the conflict, has no reason to pick a fight with Chu Young Gate. Plus, the location of the conflict is right where the Alliance's local branch is situated. The odd thing is, nobody noticed anything during this."

Our conversation went on for a while. I was used to situations like this—it had been going on for days already.

Right after Divine Spear regained consciousness and resumed activity as alliance leader—

Heavenly Insight would often summon me to his residence.

And each time, I'd wonder what he wanted—

'Read.'

He began making me read the letters in his room.

Why did he insist on making me go through these? I wondered.

'If you listen, I'll give you Mount Hua's treasured pill.'

'What should I read first?'

Honestly, the reward was too great to question.

From then on—

I read the letters like mad.

And started having these kinds of discussions with Heavenly Insight.

"But right now, you only have circumstantial evidence?"

"If it's a matter between the Evil and Righteous Factions, it's enough reason for the Murim Alliance to step in."

"But if you're not careful, you could end up strengthening the Evil Faction instead."

"That's not it."

"Then?"

"If Chu Young Gate is truly in the wrong, we can simply announce their guilt and censure them; and if, as claimed, it's the Evil Faction's fault, that gives us the justification to crush them. Murim Alliance's military strength is hardly lacking."

Calling it a debate would be a stretch.

It was mostly Heavenly Insight asking questions and nodding at my answers.

"I see."

This time was no different. At my response, Heavenly Insight nodded calmly.

Srrk.

He swept away the letters on his desk.

I wondered why I was doing all this.

"... Is this because I gave the correct answers?"

I had to ask—but Heavenly Insight just looked at me oddly.

"What do you mean by 'correct answers'?"

"My replies just now, regarding those letters. Honestly, these seem like cases that have already been resolved."

I didn't think he'd be showing me things that were currently happening.

There was no reason to.

As if confirming my hunch, Heavenly Insight stroked his beard and spoke.

"There are no correct answers. I just wanted to know your thoughts."

"Why are you curious about my thoughts?"

"Well, how could I not be?"

Heavenly Insight smiled wryly at me.

I should have been startled to see that smile, but—

"How could I not be curious about the thoughts of someone who might become the next alliance leader? Isn't that so?"

"..."

At his next words, my expression twisted.

"Alliance leader candidate."

"... Damn it."

No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't keep myself from cursing.

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